British shoppers are on a health kick, spending more on fresh fruit and vegetables than ever before, according to a study by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

The Family Food Expenditure 2004/05 report showed that household expenditure on fresh fruit increased by 2.7 per cent on the previous year, and by 2.8 per cent on fresh vegetables.

This is part of a trend in which UK consumers appear to have become increasingly health conscious, according to the findings.

Expenditure on wholemeal bread increased by 2.4 per cent, while sales of white bread fell by 6.6 per cent. Sales of whole milk fell by 18 per cent, but spending on semi-skilled milk was up 8.9 per cent.

People were also spending less on alcohol, with the amount spent on alcohol consumed inside and outside the home dropping 3.7 per cent and 7.3 per cent respectively.

The report found that the average person in the UK spends £34.31 per week on food and drink.